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Winemaker's Notes

The 2011 Eroica Riesling exhibits aromas and flavors of white peach, grapefruit and sweet lime with subtle mineral notes. The mouth-watering acidity is beautifully balanced by flavorful Washington Riesling fruit. After more than a decade, the winery has truly found the "Eroica style," striving for beautiful bright fruit with crisp acidity and enhanced mineralilty.

Critical Acclaim

WE93

Wine Enthusiast - "Complex and compelling, this has a luscious mix of fruits that run the Riesling gamut. It's creamy and textural, fresh and primary, with exceptional aging potential and fine, juicy, natural acidity. Cellar Selection"

W&S93

Wine & Spirits - "Eroica in a cool vintage is driven by energy and freshness more than fruit, the acidity providing a cool, angular intensity. In this 2011, scents of peach and honeysuckle give way to stone fruit flavors that feel clean and pure, buoyed by a minerality that keeps the wine en pointe. A tremendous success in a vintage that required care and a sophisticated approach to viticulture."

RP90

The Wine Advocate - "For thoughts on Chateau Ste Michelle's uniqueness and recent evolution, consult my extensive April, 2013 text designed to introduce recent tasting notes. The Ste Michelle-Loosen 2011 Riesling Eroica is scented with lime, apple blossom, clover, honeydew and mint, and gushes with juicy honeydew and apple fruit, its vivacity and (at 11% alcohol) levity reflecting the long, cool growing season including a summer without the usual hundred-degree heat spikes. But for all of that vivacity and lift, this Riesling is also downright lush, making for a refreshingly sorbet-like, metaphorically cooling impression. Its sweetness – at 22 grams – is perfectly judged to support the fruit but not be obvious or get in the way of the wine’s versatility. While not hugely complex, it's irresistible and impressively persistent, with hints of salt and stone suggesting the basis for future call-and-response."

Eroica Winery

Launched in 1999, Eroica is a labor of love for two of the world's great Riesling producers. One from the Old World, Dr. Loosen estate of Germany, and the other from the New World, Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington state. An intermingling of Old and New World philosophies and technique enables the crafting of an extraordinary Riesling from Washington state grapes. Named for Beethoven's Third Symphony, Eroica reflects not only its variety and site, but also its heritage: bold and forward from its Washington roots, elegant and refined from German inspiration.

The first five vintages of Eroica Riesling (1999-2003) were named to Wine Spectator's "Top 100" list.

"I have long believed that a Riesling revival would have to start with a prominent New World winery like Chateau Ste. Michelle."- Ernst Loosen, Dr. Loosen estate
View all Eroica Wines

About Columbia Valley

Columbia Valley is the largest of Washington State's wine growing regions, with almost 11 million acres. It encompasses a number of smaller regions, including Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain and more. The vast area consists of a range of climates, allowing viticulturists to plant a diverse selection of grape varieties. Most wineries plant rows sparsely, which helps the vines survive the harsh winters.

About Washington

Now the number two producer in the United States, Washington State has also grown in quality.

So how does a state known for rain and coffee produce high quality wines? They plant their grapes on the east side of the Cascade mountains, away from that ever-present rain cloud that sits along the coast. Perhaps wine grapes do well since the sandy loam soils east of the Cascade range give way to an almost desert-like land, saved from drought only by the helpful rivers that run through the area – and the good irrigation systems.

Thinking that the state would do best with typical northern growing grapes like Riesling and Gewurtztraminer, turns out the apple state is well-suited for reds, namely Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and, more recently, Syrah. Of course, whites have not been forgotten - Washington State Rieslings range from bone-dry to sweet, are well-structured and high quality, and Chardonnay dominates most of the other white plantings, making a range of wines. But the reds of the region, Merlot in particular, have made Washington State a quality force to be reckoned with.

Missing the distinct Riesling flavor. Still in search of a non-NYS Riesling that I like as much as a good NYS, Alsace or German Riesling. This wine was fine, but it lacks the diesel component that I expect in a good Riesling. Pear? Yes. Diesel? Nope.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.